1 Background Introduction
1.1 Project Background
Educational inequality remains a major challenge worldwide due to differences in assessment systems, economic disparities, regional factors, and external challenges such as epidemics.Throughout the project, we wanted to reflect the various educational inequities that arise during a person’s development by developing board games that reflect the complexity of the educational system. By analyzing various educational models, we will design and develop a board game.
1.2 Purpose and Significance
In the across RCA program, I chose “education” for my research because, as a visual communication major, I had a teaching experience for a period of time, and this experience had a profound impact on me. In the classroom, I am not only transferring knowledge, but also shaping students’ thinking, emotion and character. I have a deep appreciation for the importance of education and how it affects everyone’s growth and future.
Therefore, when I am involved in designing an education-related project, I hope to convey a passion for education and the importance of learning through my design work, as well as to inspire people to think about education reform and innovation.
My design project is not simply about conveying information, but about touching people’s hearts and minds, provoking empathy and reflection. Through visual communication, I want to show the power and beauty of education, and let people feel the joy of learning and growing.
As a former teacher and student, my understanding and insight into education makes my designs more relevant to practical needs and people’s emotional needs. I hope my design works can inspire people’s passion for education, promote the development of education and contribute to the progress of society.
1.3 Methods
I used comparative research method to conduct a cross-cultural or cross-country comparative study to compare the differences and commonalities between different countries or regions in areas such as education systems. Meanwhile I used interview research method, interviewing students from different educational backgrounds to gain their insights, experiences and perspectives, so as to gain a deeper understanding of the issue of educational inequality.
2 Educational Inequality and its Impact on Individuals and Society
2.1 Overview of Educational Inequality
Educational inequality refers to differences in access, resources, quality, and outcomes of education for different individuals or groups. This inequality can stem from a variety of factors, including economic status, race, gender, geographic location, etc.
2.2 Impacts at the Individual Level
Inequality of opportunity: Inequality in education results in some individuals being denied access to quality education, thereby limiting their personal development and career opportunities.
Differences in income and employment opportunities: Education levels are closely related to income levels. As a result of educational inequality, some people may not be able to obtain sufficient education to obtain well-paid jobs, thus exacerbating income disparities and social stratification.
Limited social mobility: Educational inequality hinders social mobility, making it more difficult for children from poorer families to access opportunities for social advancement.
2.3 Impacts at the Social Level
Slower economic growth: educational inequality limits the development and utilization of talent in society, thus negatively affecting economic growth.
Social instability: Educational inequality exacerbates social inequality and social division, which may lead to social instability and intensification of conflicts.
Unequal distribution of resources: Inequality in education leads to unequal distribution of resources, which further exacerbates the gap between the rich and the poor, creating a vicious circle.
3 Introduction of Different Educational Models and the Impact on Equity in Education
3.1 Educational Models of Different Countries and the Analysis
3.1.1 Different Education Models
First of all, I summarized seven different education models because the different evaluation systems lead to different specific educational contents for students. This, in turn, triggers a variety of reasons that ultimately lead to the emergence of educational inequality.
Some education systems emphasize standardized and competitive testing, a requirement that often leads to unequal access to educational resources based on economic and family circumstances.
Other education systems emphasize students’ control over skill enrichment and participation in community activities. While such standards can be effective in mitigating educational inequalities caused by class issues, there may also be some inequities caused by regional factors.
Some education systems emphasize cultural inclusiveness, such as international schools. In this case, students from different ethnic backgrounds coming together and receiving education under the same system should be the most effective way to alleviate educational inequality.
In addition to the education system, national attitudes, levels of development and economic conditions are all closely related to educational equity. For example, studies have shown that students who receive early childhood education are likely to reap lasting benefits. Fifteen-year-olds with more than one year of early childhood education tend to perform better in reading than children without such education. However, as the OECD data show, not all countries have the capacity to provide early childhood education for children. Economic constraints, inadequate education systems and a focus on the importance of early education may contribute to this outcome.
3.1.2 Education Systems in Different Countries
Education systems differ from country to country, leading to different causes of corresponding educational inequalities. Here are some examples:
1. In Europe, many schools value students’ individuality and place less emphasis on standardized tests.
2. In Japan, great emphasis is placed on educational discipline and effort, with a rigorous curriculum and popular interest and remedial classes.
3. In the United States, emphasis is placed on diversity of abilities, connection to real-world production, rich in-school and extracurricular experiences, and ultimately on standardized tests to assess proficiency.
4. International comprehensive education promotes critical thinking and inclusiveness, and requires social participation and cultural integration.
5. India has an extensive and systematic education network with greater emphasis on standardized tests and competitive test scores.
6. The education system in the United Kingdom follows a structured approach, emphasizing academic subjects and corresponding accreditation.
7. Indigenous education systems around the world have unique approaches within their communities, focusing on the preservation of cultural heritage, the transmission of traditional knowledge and the fostering of deep connections to land and community.
3.2 Interviews with Students from Different Educational Backgrounds
I interviewed students from different countries with different educational backgrounds and summarized the strengths and weaknesses of different countries’ education systems.
4 BRPG Design
4.1 Conceptualization of Life Education
Life Education is a BRPG designed to simulate a player’s entire educational process from elementary school to university, and to explore the challenges, opportunities and inequalities in education through game mechanics. By exploring the path of education, players improve their academic and financial capabilities, eventually complete university-level education and reach the victory conditions set by the game.
4.2 Reasons for Designing the Board Game
Because the educational inequality is not something we can solve. But in the game, every player is equal because they all follow the same rules and have the same access to resources. The board game reflects the problem of inequality in education.
4.3 Content Design
4.3.1 Game Rules Design
It uses a labyrinth-style board game map and a person’s life from elementary school to university education process. The different fork in the road is in each section of the school and players need to make different choices according to their own financial and academic strength. The first to complete the final task of the player is the victory.
4.3.2 Board Design
The game map adopts a labyrinth design, which represents the various choices and challenges in the education process. This is because the maze format can better represent the trajectory of life and the various choices people face and are selected for. The choice of a maze-style board game map as the design form for a lifelong educational process from elementary school to college, as well as the use of fate and chance card elements can reflect the complexity of the educational process: the maze map represents the complexity of the educational process filled with various choices and challenges. The need for the player to find the right path through the maze represents the variety of decisions that need to be made and the progress that needs to be made in education.
By using the players’ financial and academic capabilities to influence their choices in the game, it can reflect the impact of different family backgrounds and academic capabilities on the educational experience in the real world. This design allows players to better understand and experience inequalities in education.
4.3.2 Fate and Chance Cards
Players draw fate cards and chance cards to face different external conditions and personal choices. Fate cards represent the external conditions that determine the player’s advancement or retreat. Opportunity cards represent the player’s own choices and actions, which require the player to pay the corresponding resources to obtain opportunities or overcome challenges.
4.3.3 Game Character Design
Each player represents a different country, a different skin color, and the respective academic and financial values (academic and financial values: academic value represents the player’s academic ability and achievement in the education process, and financial value represents the player’s economic strength and resources in the education process. Players need to balance the academic power and financial power to move forward in the game with the optimal strategy), and the following is the player’s setting:
Player 1: Yixuan Tang (China)
Country: China
Skin Color: Yellow
Academic Value: 60 (received higher education in China)
Financial Value: 40 (family is financially well off)
Player 2: Gabriel (Mexico)
Country: Mexico
Skin Color: Mixed Hispanic
Academic Value: 40 (completed college in Mexico)
Financial Value: 20 (family of average means)
Player 3: Agostino (USA)
Country: United States
Skin Color: White
Academic Value: 60 (received higher education in the US)
Financial Value: 80 (family is financially well off)
Player 4: Surbhi (Pakistan)
Country: India
Skin Color: South Asian
Academic Value: 50 (completed college in Indian Ocean)
Financial Value: 30 (Family’s financial condition is average)
Player 5: Alvin (Brazil)
Country: Brazil
Skin Color: Mixed (Black and European)
Academic Value: 30 (received higher education in Brazil)
Financial Value: 40 (family is financially well off)
Player 6: Jin kouxan (Korea)
Country: Korea
Skin Color: Asian
Academic Value: 50 (completed college in Korea)
Financial Value: 40 (family is financially well off)
Player 7: Sala (Russia)
Country: Russia
Skin Color: White
Academic Value: 30 (received higher education in Russia)
Financial Value: 20 (family’s financial condition is average)
5 On Cooperation
In the past few months, my time working with students from the product design program has been a creative and inspiring experience for me. As a Visual Communication major, working with students from different majors made me deeply feel the diversity and richness brought by different professional backgrounds. Our cooperation is not only a simple combination of technology, but also a process of mutual learning and inspiration in the collision of ideas.
First of all, it broadened my vision. They have unique insights and in-depth understanding of product functions and user experience, which enables me to think more comprehensively about the purpose and meaning of the design work, combine visual communication with the actual use of the product scenario, and make the design closer to the user’s needs.
Secondly, it stimulated my creativity and imagination. They may raise some questions or ideas that I have never considered before, and this fresh perspective often brings me brand new inspiration and direction for my design. Our mutual exchanges and collaborations have continuously pushed the progress and innovation of our design works.
Most importantly, it made me realize the importance of teamwork. In the process of cooperation, we need to listen to each other, respect each other and work together to solve problems in order to achieve the best design results. This spirit of teamwork is not only reflected in the design projects, but also has a profound impact on my future career.
Overall, it was a rewarding experience. Through working with them, I have not only improved my own design ability, but also deepened my understanding and awareness of interdisciplinary collaboration, which will have a positive impact on my future development.